By James Careless
Distance learning via satellite is as close you can get to a true killer app. However, to fully provide competitive satellite distance learning solutions, you need to understand the medium's strengths and have a keen grasp on what type of advanced, interactive content is being developed by corporate trainers.
In today's highly-competitive business arena, executives are not only seeking technology that can streamline their training and corporate communications, but advanced network platforms that will enable them to strategically grow faster and more profitable than their competition. Even though satellite-enabled distance learning allows instructors to interact with their workforce using audio, video and data, today's corporate trainer is more knowledgeable about satellite offerings and expects advanced systems providing seamless data throughput and cutting-edge options.
This is especially true in the Internet age, where Web-based training is gaining momentum and at times closing options to satellite service providers. Now, corporate trainers are more keen on exploiting Internet-based training platforms in an effort to save cost and will sooner overlook satellite if the majority of training objectives can be met through this alternative. These issues now put a greater burden of proof on satellite equipment and service providers.
A Competitive Edge For Multipoint Training
Pitching the adage that satellite transmission is most effective for simultaneous, point-to-multipoint transmissions over large areas no longer seals the deal. Most corporate instructors grasp that concept. What they want to know, before investing in a either a new satellite-enabled platform or upgrading an existing network, is the competitive benefits satellite will bring to their organization that other transmission mediums cannot. Enhanced security, reliable backup and overhead cost savings top the list, according to corporate users. "Satellite technology is also great for those times when you need to train employees fast on some service problem or policy change," says Susan Irwin, president of Irwin Communications in Washington, D.C.
And those who have already embraced satellite-enabled platforms know the inherent pitfalls and how to maximize their investment. To make satellite distance learning affordable, many users look for long-term build out, not short-term gain. "The key is to serve a large base of homogeneous customers so that you can share the satellite uplink costs among them," says Mark Gruskin, manager of the Fordstar Dealer Communications Network. Designed to educate salespeople, technicians and managers, the Fordstar network transmits 14 channels of live and recorded training via SES Americom's AMC-4 satellite to 5,200 Ford and Lincoln dealers across North America. The dealers are each equipped with a satellite dish, a classroom with microphones and keypads which allow the employees to interact with the teacher and take tests that are scored in real time. Thanks to Fordstar, Ford has slashed its training travel costs while improving the skills of its employees and managers, Gruskin adds.
Pest control specialists Orkin Inc. uses a similar system and has worked with Utah-based Helius Inc., which provides receivers, to implement a new technology called interactive-video-on-demand. The system affords the ability to record a live broadcast and make it available at any time to viewers, creating interactivity functions similar to the live sessions. Orkin also can pass the data from these sessions to its learning management system. "This capability adds significantly to our ability to manage the learning of all attendees whether live or on-demand," says David Lamb, Orkin's vice president of learning and media services.
This said, there are some limitations. For instance, in systems where employees' microphones are voice-activated, "it is necessary to avoid having people talk all over each other," says Atem Ramsundersingh, head of the World Bank's Global Development Learning Network. "If feedback isn't organized, the result can be chaos."
This means that if you want to keep employees focused on the lesson you have to make the content relevant and compelling. "If you don't do this, if your distance learning broadcast is filled with drivel, then your customer satisfaction indexes will fall," warns Larry Steinman, CEO of BTV+, a satellite services provider based in Toronto that produces, distributes and provides more hours of live, private, broadcasts. "If this happens, your distance learning course's future will be at risk."
BTV+ recently won a five-year contract by General Motors, to upgrade interactive distance learning studios in the United States, Canada and Mexico. "Large organizations, like GM, have daunting processes and high expectations when selecting the supplier that is 'best of breed'" says Steinman, President and CEO of BTV+. He added "Only those who can exhibit the best technical, cultural, and operational strengths are considered by enterprises."
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